Bob Cates
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SpecialtyComedy Juggling, Physical Comedy, Improvisation/Audience Participation VideobioBob Cates grew up on a farm in southern, Ontario, Canada. A quiet, unassuming young man, he had his head in the stars. One day in high school, Bob saw the most magical sight – someone juggling several balls. He experienced what his audiences now experience: the oxymoron of juggling. It’s the most magical looking thing in the world, but it is totally real. It’s within the grasp of most, but few will take up the challenge to learn it. It was this “air-born” love affair that would take this small-town farm boy to undreamed-of heights. Learning to juggle with tennis balls as a teenager, he was a relative late starter to be considered a real contender for the Canadian Juggling Championships, let alone a full-time professional. But he practiced hard, learning advanced juggling, unicycling, balancing skills and performance technique. His passion for the theater and the art of juggling continued to develop during his five years of post secondary education, earning a Bachelor of Commerce degree from McMaster University and a diploma from the Baptist Leadership Education Center. In 1994 he would quit his job at the bank (not missing the comments about “juggling the books”) and went on to win the Canadian Juggling Championships. By this time Bob had also won other People’s Choice and Best Novelty Act awards, which contributed to his flourishing reputation as a clean, professional and amazing Canadian entertainer. He is a professional comic variety entertainer with an amazingly funny show that is remarkably adaptable to all ages and most venues. He has been characterized as a juggler, comedian, artist and new vaudevillian. He’s a variety comic with big talent and Canadian charm. With over 13 years of performing experience and with thousands of satisfied customers, Bob has been the recipient of many awards that have included Best Entertainer of the Year at the 1999 and 2001 Molson Canadian FEO Awards. Bob's Comedy in Motion ministry show is an excellent way to reach out to your community with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Bob uses his unique talents to share the message of the gospel through scriptural illustrations, analogies, stories and personal testimony. He also is available to deliver a message/sermon after the show or the next day. The show is very flexible and can be used by churches or Para-church organizations in a variety of ways. Some examples include: Youth Retreats and Conventions, Church Family "Bring a Friend" events, Camps, Family Outreach Concerts, Schools, or Banquet Entertainment. The show contains advanced juggling, wild unicycling and balancing skills, special theatrical effects (including black light, laser and strobe) and tasteful volunteer participation. Best of all, the performance is packed with interactive comedy, appropriate to your audience. testimonYThrough God’s sovereign grace, I was raised by Christian parents who loved the Lord and saw to it that I understood the Gospel. I accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior at a young age and was baptized in my last year of high school. After high school I finished a year of Bible College at the Baptist Leadership Education Center in Toronto. Then, after completing a bachelor of Commerce at McMaster University, I served for seven months as a missionary in Lithuania with Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship. I was very business oriented and had always thought I would end up in the corporate word. But the Lord had other plans. The experiences of Bible College and Missionary life were great blessings in my life. Although not always easy, it grounded me in my faith as I saw a living Lord in the pages of scripture, and God at work in the world today in real people’s lives. I got my start performing at busking festivals (street performing festivals) across Canada. It is a difficult way to learn the ropes of performing but very rewarding, as you are forced to learn fast. It’s a sink or swim situation. In Canada there is very little in the way of professional entertainers that share the gospel. So it wasn’t until the late 90's that I realized that I could actually use this strange talent of mine to share my faith. I spent so long polishing the routine from a theatrical stand point (learning from other comedians, magicians and variety acts that I met on cruise ships and elsewhere) that I struggled a bit with incorporating the message into the show. (Slowing things down at the right time to make sure people understand with their head). I strongly believe that truth matters. And such have decided to do my best not to “water down” the gospel. If I’m asked to share the gospel at an outreach event, then I mention that some things I’m going to say are not necessarily politically correct. But people can’t understand the Good news of the gospel until they understand the bad news – our separation from God by our sins. “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” 1 Corinthians 10:31
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